Strong Children ~ Strong Communities Conference for parents, childcare providers and educators

Registration and table exhibits are available for Good Shepherd Center’s 23rd Annual Strong Children ~ Strong Communities on March 1 from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm at Prairie State College, 202 S. Halsted Street, Chicago Heights

This event is one of the largest bilingual conferences in the Chicago area, featuring many individual workshops in both English and Spanish.  It has been developed to provide parents; childcare workers and educators with needed educational and support information that targets topical issues regarding children with and without developmental disabilities.

Registration to attend the conference is $35.00 per person and includes lunch.  Pre-registration is required (no walk-ins accepted).  Registration can be made on line at www.gscenter.org or by calling Community Partner Director Maggie Keane at 708-957-2600 extension 226.  Early Intervention trainings hours; continuing education units (CEU) and Continuing Professional Development Unit (CPDU) credits are all available that day.

Keynote speaker for the conference is Brian R. King, LCSW.  He is the five time Best Selling Author and life coach for parents of children with Autism/Asperger’s and ADHD.  In his interactive presentation, he will introduce the 6 core needs of every human being.  Needs that can be met through a trusting one on one relationship.  His engagement of the audience will provide specific, usable and concrete guidance on how to create a trusting relationship.  More information about King is available at www.brianraymondking.com.

Attendees can choose from a variety of individual workshops as well.  Workshop topics include supporting young children with a lot of energy or ADD; creating a safe environment; keeping the kids safe in transit; best marketing tips for your program; stress management; knowing your rights as a provider; multi-cultural music; raising healthy children; sign language and more.

Sponsors of the conference include The Roche Family Foundation and Family Time Magazine.  Sponsorship and exhibit table opportunities are still available.  More information is available at www.gscenter.org or call Good Shepherd Center’s Development Director Kristen Bonk 708-335-0020 x 20 for sponsorships.

Good Shepherd Center is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit and a Community Partner of Illinois Action for Children.  The mission is to be a community advocate for children and adults, with and without disabilities, provide support, service, and education that empower individuals and families to lead exceptional lives.  Good Shepherd Center was founded in 1963 as a school for children with disabilities and their families. The Center was a pioneer in serving children at that time, as educational/therapy programs were rare for young children in their first critical five years of life. Since that time, the agency has evolved into a multi-service agency now serving children and adults with and without disabilities as well as their families.

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